Work of the Week - Heinz Holliger: Ardeur noire

On 12 July, The Zurich Festival 2008 will present the world premiere of Heinz Holliger's new work, Ardeur noire d'après Claude Debussy. The composer himself will conduct the Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich and the Swiss Chamber Choir with soloists Rachel Harnisch (soprano), Brigitte Balley and Liliana Nikiteanu (contraltos).

Celebrated composer, conductor and oboist Heinz Holliger is regarded one of Europe’s most distinguished artists. His work Ardeur noire is based on Claude Debussy's piano piece "Les soirs illuminés par l’ardeur du charbon" – a work written to thank his coal-merchant in the winter of 1916 during the First World War when coal was in short supply. Holliger's Ardeur noire transforms Debussy’s piano work into a rich work for orchestra and choir. The text is simply the title "Les soirs illuminés par l’ardeur du charbon" though it has been extended to form an elaborate underlying soundscape.